Photo: Toronto Marlies defenseman and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Connor Carrick is the leading scorer in the 2016 AHL playoffs so far with 15 points in 12 games (courtesy of Graig Abel/Getty Images)

The 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs are in the Conference Finals stage, and in the East, it is Atlantic Division champion Hershey against North Division champion Toronto in a best-of-seven series that will see the winner play for the Calder Cup championship against the winner of Lake Erie and Ontario. Read more»

Photo: Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci is tied for fourth in scoring by a defenseman at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, posting one goal and four assists in six games for the unbeaten Canadian squad (courtesy of Pavel Bednyakov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The next generation of Canadian defensemen.

That’s what they’re saying about the crop of defenders that have come out of the 2012 NHL Draft, and six of those are currently playing for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Russia. Read more»

Photo: Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov and his Team Finland teammates are having good success at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, going 4-0 so far at that tournament (courtesy of JUSSI NUKARI/AFP/Getty Images)

More so than any IIHF World Championship in recent years, this year’s tournament has been all about the young players. With so many high-profile teenagers on the rosters of various teams, 20-year-old Aleksander Barkov – who has three NHL seasons under his belt and has already played in the Winter Olympics and last year’s World Championship – may seem like a veteran.Read more»

Photo: Barrie Colts defenseman and Calgary Flames prospect Rasmus Andersson had a productive 2016 playoff, posting two goals and 15 points in 15 games for the Colts (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

While the elite quality of OHL defensemen from the 2015-16 season may not resemble the ranks of the past – or even what we are likely to see next season – there is a solid roster of depth defensemen that can bring some quality and value to NHL ranks. Read more»

Photo: Rocco Grimaldi scored five points through 20 games with the Florida Panthers this season. (Courtesy of Tim Larson/Icon Sportswire)

The Florida Panthers made it into the NHL playoffs for the first time in four seasons and it’s thanks to a growing young cast of budding NHLers. General Manager Dale Tallon has built a strong core, while still allowing for the team’s prospects to develop at their own pace. Read more»